10 Shameful incidents that put the game to disgrace

4. Pakistan team walking off in 2006 Test match

The 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan was another such incident when the game was brought into disrepute. It all happened during the fourth day’s play just before the Tea break when the on-field umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove penalised Pakistan by awarding five runs to the home team for altering the condition of the ball.

Pakistan team led by Inzamam-ul-Haq wasn’t happy with this decision as they denied ball-tampering allegations. In response to the decision, they denied taking the field for the third and final session of the day marking their protest. Umpires went back after waiting for the visitors to arrive on the field. However, after some time, Pakistan appeared on the field and this time, the umpires and the batsman didn’t come out and eventually, England were declared the winner of the match according to laws of the game.

This was first such incident in more than 1000 Test matches in the history of the sport and the umpires’ decision created more controversy. Post this game, ICC announced that Hair won’t be umpiring in the Champions Trophy that followed due to security concerns and later banned him from officiating in international matches only to include him later in the elite panel again in 2008.

The match referre Ranjan Madugale acquitted Inzamam-ul-Haq of the ball-tampering charges but banned him for four ODIs for bringing the game into disrepute.